Stepping cucumbers in the open field and greenhouse: how to do it right and whether it is necessary

Stepping cucumbers in the open field is a prerequisite for the proper care of this vegetable crop. The procedure allows you to increase productivity and solve many other problematic issues.

Need for procedure

What is stepchildren? Stepsons are called lateral sprouts that do not allow the cucumber vine to develop normally. They take away moisture and valuable components necessary for the formation of fruits. Stepchildren are formed between the leaf and the stem. Pasynkovanie - this is getting rid of the side branches. They begin to be removed when the plant reaches a height of 6 cm.

For beginners, it is important to know what stepchildren are and how to distinguish them from a regular sheet. Side sprouts appear between the central stem and leaf. First, the leaf itself unfolds, and only then, a little higher, branches form. Only the top sprout should be cut off. Stepson cucumbers that grow in open beds are best in mid-July. At this time, the plant will gain enough strength to give a good harvest.

The answer to the question of whether it is necessary to stepson cucumbers is definitely positive. It is necessary to get rid of the side lashes, but this must be done carefully. The procedure is not just to remove all excess vegetation. Proper pinching of cucumbers is to maintain he althy, strong leaves. They enrich the plant with ultraviolet and oxygen. Without knowing these features, it is possible to lead to the death of a culture or a decrease in the number of ripening fruits.

The stem formation procedure for cucumbers has a number of positive qualities:

• crop numbers are increasing;
• fewer weeds appear, so there is no need to weed often;
• during rainy summers, the likelihood of decay is reduced;
• ripe crop is easy and simple to harvest;
• Caring for garden beds is easy.

Is it necessary to pinch cucumbers of all varieties? Not all varieties of cucumbers will benefit from pinching. Single-stemmed species do not form long stems, so they do not curl. In such crops, as they grow, a neat bush is formed, and the inflorescences are mostly female. Male inflorescences are usually called barren flowers, since they are needed only for pollination.

Most of the male inflorescences need to be removed. Otherwise, the cucumbers will form bitter.

You need to remove not only side branches, but also diseased, dry, damaged leaves. Only pasynkovanie and cleansing from diseased leaves are not carried out in one day. Do not use the same cutting tools to avoid spreading disease.

It is recommended to remove them in time as the mustache appears. They only confuse the plant and prevent it from developing normally. Stepchildren are easier to see without them.

Rules of procedure

The main thing in the procedure is to know how to stepchild cucumbers in order to prevent damage. After an extra shoot is determined, you need to slightly move the leaf with one hand, and cut off the sprouts near the stem with the other. It is recommended to leave a small process to prevent the re-formation of the stepson and reduce the risk of infection.

How to trim the side shoots? For these purposes, sharply ground scissors are used, which are allocated specifically for these purposes.Do not use scissors to do other work at the same time. You need to remove the side shoots when their size reaches 4 cm. Only in this case it will be easy to notice and tear them off.

How to stepson cucumbers in the open field, there are several schemes.

1. Assumes removal of all additional branches. Leave one central, strongest stem. The method is especially suitable for those areas where cucumbers are planted closely together and attached to a support. The bed will be neat, and all parts of the plant will receive enough light and air. Harvesting will also be easy, as the fruits will be in full view.
2. If the cucumbers are not supposed to be tied to a support, then stepchild cucumbers in an open area begin by removing only those stepchildren that are up to 4 leaves. The bush will look lush, and a lot of fruits will ripen. The main step is pinching the growth point, due to which the lateral processes will gain strength.It is on the side branches that female flowers are most often formed.

It should be taken into account that pollinating inflorescences are most often formed on the main branch, and female ovaries often appear on the side branches. Don't forget to remove stepchildren from the side lashes.

How long does it take to form a bush? It is correct to stepchild cucumbers in the open field if you follow the following scheme:

• cucumber stalk is conditionally divided in length into four equal parts;
• begin to remove stepchildren from the bottom, which are located in the axils of the fourth sheet;
• for the next part, work is carried out between the fifth and seventh leaf (you need to remove all lateral sprouts, leaving one leaf and one ovary);
• the third part, after the procedure, should remain with two ovaries and two leaves;
• the fourth lash is left with three sheets and three ovaries.

As soon as the first fruits appear on the main branch, you need to stop the growth in height by pinching the top. It is recommended to leave side branches at the same time.

Greenhouse crop care

In a greenhouse, pinching is mandatory, as comfortable conditions contribute to the growth of greenery. The plant ceases to get not only nutrients, but also lighting. Stepchildren begin to remove when they reach 4-6 cm.

The scheme will help answer questions about how and how many times it is recommended to remove stepchildren when growing cucumbers in a greenhouse.

1. After the fourth leaves unfold on the seedlings, all the shoots below are torn off.
2. Remove stepchildren next time, start when unfolding the eighth sheet. On the side branches below the level, one ovary and one leaf are left.
3. Repeat the procedure is recommended when 10 sheets appear. You need to leave a couple of leaves and ovaries already.
4. After 11 leaves, three ovaries and leaves are left.
5. As soon as the height of the bush reaches 50 cm, pinch the central stem. Do not forget to pinch on the side branches.

Advice of gardeners: “We remove stepchildren without regret, even if fruits have already begun to form on them. All the same, the branches will not achieve high fruiting, and the fruits will be bitter.”

Recommended